To tempt a daring Fate,
From whence no triumph ever came.
-"Tell mee no more how faire shee is," Bishop Henry King

Previously on Fallen
Jag: "Jaina, I want to know… is there…. Have you ever slept with someone just to get information before?"
Jaina: "It kind of goes with the territory."
Jag: "Did you sleep with me just to get information?"
Jaina: "Yes. At first, that was my primary motivation. But—"
Jag: "Jaina… I think you should leave now."
Jaina felt her stomach go cold. "Jag, the reason I wanted to talk to you—"
Jag: "We can't have this conversation right now."
His voice was husky, suggesting he was holding back tears.
Jag: "Please."
She searched his features. He was hurting, and she saw there was no way she was changing his mind about this. All her explanations about how this time had been different, and how she felt about him died on her lips.
Jaina: "Okay…. Later, then?"
Jag: "Goodbye, Jaina."
It pained Jaina how final the salutation sounded, and she had no reply.

Leia: "To the best of our knowledge, the Empire is constructing another Death Star at a secret facility deep inside the celestial anomaly known as the Maw."

Viqi Shesh: "By now you've probably heard reports of my intent to challenge Leia Organa Solo for election to the Presidency of the Alliance of Free Planets. I feel compelled to seek this office because I learned of a shocking truth that I could not in good conscience ignore. There is no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to say it: Leia Organa Solo is Darth Vader's daughter. Darth Starkiller's sister. And I believe she is deliberately leading the Alliance and its allies into a trap even as we speak."

Jag shook his head at the sensor display in confusion. "This doesn't make any sense."
Leia: "What?"
Jag: "We should be encountering defenses right now"
Officer: "Madame President… the Kuati Star Destroyers have reduced speed… they're coming to a full stop."
Leia "What the hell?"
Officer: "They're charging weapons!"
Officer: "They're firing!"
Without second thought, Han ordered, "Forward batteries, return fire!"

Jaina: "It's not your fault."
Jag: "It's not yours, either,"
Jaina nodded, but without conviction. Both of them looked down at the floor, silence and regret hanging between them.
Jag sighed. "Jaina… I…"
Officer: "Madame President! General Solo! We're receiving a distress signal."
Han: "That's impossible. Every military unit is here."
Officer: "Not military, sir. Civilian. Broadcasting on every Alliance channel."
Leia: "Source?"
Officer: "Corellia. They say Imperial forces are bombarding the planet from orbit… their planetary defenses are already down… they're defenseless."

xxx

Twenty-Six Years After the Battle of Endor

The scene outside the viewport failed to move Darth Starkiller. He knew even the most cold-hearted of his officers had private reservations towards Lord Vader's orders to bombard one of the most populous planets in the galaxy, but for Starkiller this was just one more in a long chain of irredeemable acts.

Starkiller sensed the officer approaching before he actually heard the footsteps. "Yes, Commander?" he asked without turning away from the view of the burning world.

"My Lord," the officer replied after coming to a stop behind him and standing at respectful attention. "A Rebel fleet has entered the sector. Grand Admiral Thrawn would like permission to send elements of the fleet to engage."

Starkiller paused, reaching out with the Force towards the new arrivals. The boy he sought was not with them, but he did sense three very powerful Force presences, one of which was very familiar.

His sister was with them.

You tried to kill her once, Starkiller reminded himself. Whatever has changed since then, you can't take that back.

"Tell him to wait for my command, but he may engage at will if they enter the system."

"Very good, my Lord," the officer answered, though he was obviously confused by the order.

The now-barren surface of Corellia stared at Starkiller in accusation. He would forever be known as a mass murder, but he did not care about galactic opinion. If his sister died this day, the destruction of an entire planet would not be his worst crime.

xxx

Fallen

Leia Organa Solo; President, Alliance of Free Planets (female human from Alderaan)

Darth Starkiller; Sith Lord (male human from Tatooine)

General Han Solo; Supreme Allied Commander, Army (male human from Corellia)

Agent Jaina Solo; Alliance Intelligence; captain, iMillennium Falcon/i (female human from Hapes)

Commander Jagged Fel, 181st TIE Interceptor Group (male human from Corellia)

Doctor Jacen Solo; Alliance Medical Officer (male human from Hapes)

xxx

From Whence No Triumph Ever Came

"Corellia is a total loss."

The words were not unexpected, but still everyone in the briefing room felt them like a physical blow.

"The planet has sustained concentrated and dispersed orbital bombardment on the entirety of its habitable surface," the tactical officer went on, to everyone's increasing dismay. "Madame President, General… there's no way anyone survived that."

After a pause, the officer continued his report. "The Imperial fleet is still insystem. They outgun the combined Alliance starfleet nearly two to one, and... sir, the lead ship is the Executor."

Starkiller for sure. Thrawn, probably. The tactical situation was worse than bleak. There was no chance of re-taking the other planets in the system.

"Evacuations?" Jacen asked, but his voice did not betray any of his characteristic optimism.

"Sorry, sir," the officer replied, shaking his head.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Leia said. "You're dismissed."

The door closed behind him, leaving the Solos and Jag alone. "Han," Leia prodded quietly.

Han didn't look away from the tactical display to meet her eyes. "I'm fine," he answered without any real conviction.

Leia nodded and said no more on the subject.

"The Imperials seem to be leaving the other planets in the system alone," Jacen pointed out tentatively.

"Corellia's destruction will scare the others into submission," Han stated, and Jag – the other Corellian native in the room – nodded silently. "They'll likely deal with any remaining resistance and establish garrisons on the other worlds in the next few days."

Leia sighed. "Options?"

"There's always a counter-offensive," Han pointed out.

"Han, you heard the report—"

"Not here," Han clarified. "They have so many forces concentrated here, they'd be out of position for a strike against other high-profile targets."

"Alright," Leia agreed. "Get your tactical team together and bring me scenarios."

Han looked like he wanted to say something; Leia had thought he would be glad of the task as a distraction, but there was obviously something on his mind. "What is it?"

"I'd rather continue the search for Anakin. I don't need many resources—"

"Take the Eldest and Rogue Squadron," Leia agreed immediately, obviously guilty that she had not thought of their son sooner. "And as much time as you need."

"Count me in, too," Jacen added, and Han nodded at both in evident relief.

"That still leaves the question of what we can do here," Jaina pointed out.

"You really think an insurrection is the best idea with all this instability?" Leia asked.

"I think we all know this is the best environment for an insurrection. But the broader point is that there'll be one anyway, and without our help they'll all be caught and killed within a week. We might just buy them some time, help them organize."

Leia nodded. "Good thinking. I'll have Intelligence send someone—"

"That would be me," Jaina interrupted.

Both of her parents turned with obvious alarm. "And what army?" Han demanded.

She grinned. "I'm Alliance Intelligence, Dad. I am an army. I have the training, but I can't be used on official missions now that I've outed myself to you."

"This is going to be even worse than a war zone," Han insisted. "The Empire is going to be clamping down on these planets like—"

"She's right, Han," Leia interrupted, though with evident reluctance. "Her combination of smuggling connections and intelligence training are perfect for this mission. No one else has that combination… that we know of, anyway," she added ruefully. "It's the easiest way to get angry citizens with resources together."

Han sighed. "Yeah. She might just find herself Queen of Corellia before it's all over." He glared reproachfully at his daughter, and added, "You be careful, you hear me? No unnecessary risks."

Jaina's smile became a wince as she answered, "It's the necessary ones I'd be worried about, Dad."

"I should go too," Jag offered, speaking up for the first time.

Han and Leia looked at each other uncomfortably. "I'm… not sure that's the best idea," Leia answered diplomatically after a slight hesitation.

"I get it, you don't trust me," Jag conceded. "But the Empire's created so much chaos that a lot of the little stuff won't work the way it's supposed to. Any doors Jaina's smuggling connections can't open, my Imperial credentials probably can. The local governments will be so frightened, they won't dare to question anyone who looks like an Imperial officer. We cover every front that way."

"Not to mention someone needs to keep Jaina out of trouble," Jacen added, surprising everyone by coming to Jag's defense.

"Jaina?" Leia asked.

"I trust him," Jaina replied confidently, meeting Jag's eyes as she answered her mother's question.

"Alright, that's good enough for me. Han, Jacen: leave as soon as you're ready. And keep me updated on any developments. Jaina: prep the Falcon for takeoff. Jag: consider yourself at liberty, but don't even think of leaving Jaina's sight." There were nods of assent around the table. "Let's go to work."

xxx

"Sir. The Rebels have just made hyperspace."

Starkiller already knew this. He also knew he was informed because there were protocols to be followed, but there were times he just wanted to be left alone. "I am aware of that, Commander. Proceed with the operation as Grand Admiral Thrawn directs."

"Yes, my Lord."

Starkiller waited for the officer's retreating footsteps to approach the back of the command cabin before he turned swiftly away from the viewport and strode off the bridge. As usual, no one got a real good look at his face before he was gone.

Even if they had, they would have seen no trace of the deadly emotions that were wreaking havoc with his soul.

xxx

As a fighter pilot, Jag was more than capable of copiloting the Falcon. The hardest part was actually getting Jaina to remember that she didn't need to do everything by herself. They started slowly, having Jag monitor the gages for engine temperature and the like. Eventually, they were working together seamlessly, though Jaina still insisted on retaining control of the vast majority of the ship's essential functions.

"Dad would want me to be protective," she explained with a disarming smile. "This used to be his ship, you know."

Jag snorted. "No, I hadn't heard; it's only the most famous ship in the history of the Rebellion."

"Alliance," Jaina corrected. "And no matter how weird you think it is that my parents are two of the most famous people in the galaxy, I find it even weirder that people I've never met know so much about their life stories, okay?"

"Fair enough," Jag conceded, and they continued to pilot the ship in silence until they made hyperspace. Even though they had left the fleet after their first jump away from Corellia, the Falcon would be making multiple jumps just to be on the safe side.

After the ship was safely in hyperspace, Jaina and Jag headed back to the galley and made themselves a bland but edible meal. Though there was still some awkwardness between them, they were both more than willing to make small talk to try to set themselves – and each other – at ease.

"Your brother seemed really worried about you," Jag commented, referring to their goodbye at the docking bay.

"We've always been really close," Jaina replied, "being twins and all."

"Oh," Jag said, taking another bite of nerfburger. "I didn't figure you were twins, on account of how much better looking he is than you."

Jaina visibly considered flinging a noodle at him, but decided against it and ate it instead. "Unusual flirting tactic, insulting me."

Jag shrugged. "I don't have to flirt," he answered, now finally holding her gaze. "I already know you like me."

Jaina was shocked to feel her cheeks warm slightly, and she looked away. "I thought we were done."

"If you'll remember correctly, I said we couldn't have the conversation right then. We can have it now."

Jaina pretended to be very intent on twisting one of the remaining noodles on her plate idly, even as she felt annoyed at her own foolishness. "You don't even care that I'm a terrorist?"

Jag suddenly looked conflicted, and Jaina immediately regretted the jibe. Yet she also felt indignant at his reaction.

The expression on Jag's face changed again, and he said, "Jaina, in all seriousness, can I ask you something?"

Jaina nodded, intensely gratefully for the change of topic.

"When you told your mother… that you trust me. Did you mean it?"

"Yes," Jaina answered, surprised to see her own nervousness mirrored in Jag as he stared at the table while she answered. "Why would I lie to her? Of course I did."

Jag nodded, seeming to accept that, but looked up from the table and asked, "How are you certain?"

Jaina considered, then replied, "Well, I'm not. If you're certain of something, it isn't really trust, is it? You have to make a conscious decision to believe in someone even if there's a chance you might get hurt."

Her words seemed to encourage him, and he said, "Then I guess I trust you, too." And Jaina didn't know why, but the moment felt very important to her.

xxx

Leia watched and re-watched the holo of Viqi Shesh's speech, hoping someone would tell her it was actually a very well-executed practical joke ("We couldn't resist; wasn't the part about you being Vader's daughter and Starkiller's brother hilarious? Classic!"). Unfortunately, she knew she was just seeing one more aspect of the Kuati betrayal.

"Have you been able to gauge public reaction?" she asked, dreading the answer.

"No," the aide answered. "Not as yet. We just thought you should see this immediately."

Leia sighed heavily. "Anything else?"

"There's a petition circulating through the Alliance planets demanding no major military actions until you've answered the charges. I'm sure it'll go away as soon as you tell them it isn't true."

Which part? Leia wondered bitterly. "Have the Alliance Council assembled at a neutral site," Leia finally decided. "Send an invitation to Shesh; but only if she uses Alliance transport, no Kuati ships."

"She'll refuse, of course," the aide pointed out.

"After they fired on us at Maw? I can only assume as much. But the public doesn't know about that, so we need to be able to say we invited her."

"Of course," the aide agreed. "But… Madame President, the full Council? They haven't been called since the last election. Are you sure this is that serious?"

Yes, Leia reflected. This is exactly that serious.

xxx

The Eldest had been insystem for less than a day when the break they had been waiting for came.

Han was on the bridge, as he rarely took any downtime during the search and rescue effort, when the comm officer announced, "Sir! We have an authenticated distress call broadcasting on Alliance encrypted frequencies. I am reading weapons fire in the area."

Han jumped up from the command chair. Jacen, who had been relaxing at an unoccupied console, moved to stand at his side. "Audio?" Han asked.

"Negative, sir. General distress call."

Damn. Well, he'd just need to wait until they had his son safely aboard to hear his voice. "Navigation, plot an intercept course for the source. Maximum sublight speed."

"Aye, sir."

Within moments, the Eldest was close enough for visual contact. Everyone was surprised by the scene that awaited them. Half a squadron of TIE Fighters were chasing and firing upon a lone TIE, which was desperately maneuvering to elude them. Within moments, the comm officer confirmed the lone fighter as the source of the distress signal.

The oddness of the situation was not enough to take the edge off everyone's elation. "I knew he'd find a way," Han whispered to Jacen, who nodded gravely.

"Navigation, get us directly ahead of those fighters. Tactical, drop the docking bay deflector shields when he gets within a hundred meters and prepare to re-raise them as soon as he's safely aboard."

"Yes, sir."

With that, Han waved for Jacen to join him and headed for the docking bay.

xxx

The chase ended as spectacularly as it began with the TIE crash-landing on the Eldest's hanger deck. So Han and Jacen were forced to wait impatiently as two mechanics attacked the badly-scorched hatch with fusioncutters.

When they finally managed to pry the thing open, a mess of blond hair and a black pilot jumpsuit came tumbling out of the cockpit.

Jacen recognized her immediately, and gaped in shock. "Tahiri?"

Jacen started forward to help her up, but his father stopped him with a hand on his upper arm. "Where's Anakin?" he demanded.

To Be Continued…